Review by Steve Bamford on Apr 20 2006
This 96 page softcover book from Mushroom Model Magazine is specifically devoted to the Macchi C.202 Folgore with a keen focus on history, walkaround details and side view paint scheme profiles. The cover is the usual softcover and the pages are high quality glossy pages.
I've always had a soft spot for the Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning", no doubt due to it's use of the DB601 motor from the Bf-109. This motor and the agile Italian airframe made this a particularly effective fighter and one of the best Italian fighters of WW2. Although this aircraft served with distinction in many areas from Malta, North Africa and even in Russia, the limited production numbers due to the lack of engines limited it during the war.
It was also lightly armed compared to other fighters of the period, which was also not one of it's positive attributes. It did fair well against earlier allied fighters but had a harder time with the later war Allied fighters.
This book is well organized and covers the evolution of the development and combat use of the Macchi C.202 Folgore. The book then goes on to technical data which always is of strong interest to my due to my fascination with everything mechanical. Next the book moves onto the 39 page walkaround section and finally finishes up with 24 pages of colour profiles.....who knew there was so many paint schemes. There are also 1/72 scale plans included.
As for images you get:
49 black and white photos,
100 colour photos,
11 line drawings,
18 black and white 3D drawings (including wing and rudder ribbing, guns and more)
44 sideview colour profiles and
4 views of the top or bottom of these profiles.
The photos and images are clearly printed on glossy paper with good light and easy to make out details in the photos.
Modellers are always looking for books that include side view profiles, technical data that explains the different production series of this aircraft as well as detail walkaround photos covering the general aircraft, prop, fuselage, wing, canopy, tail and undercarriage. This book covers this aircraft well and has most of the details modellers need to get the details correct, although sadly there are only black & white cockpit photos and gun bay and engine photos are restricted to black and white drawings, which is no doubt due to the lack of access to the few remaining museum aircraft. I was impressed with the extensive walkaround photos of the rest of the aircraft.
1/72 scale line drawings historic photos photos of museum aircraft
colour walkaround photos more detail photos landing gear photos
.................and so much more....including......
44 Colour Profiles
I've always had a weak spot for aircraft in desert camo, so the Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning" has always been a fascination for me. I am quite pleased to add this book to my library.....it will prove to be a very helpful book when I tackle a Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning" model.

IPMS USA  2013-01-28

Reviewed By Luke R. Bucci, #33549
This book has everything you always wanted to now about the Folgore, but were afraid to ask!
Folgore means “lightning” in Italian, and this book leaves one with the feeling of “percutoere da folgore” – struck by lightning. This is the most informative and concise review of the C.202 for modelers yet, and is laid out accordingly, with many pictures, diagrams and color profiles. The first 33 pages contain B&W prints and diagrams (1/72 scale) accompanying a thorough accounting of the development and operational history of the C.202. The next 40 pages are close-up color photos of the two remaining aircraft (one hanging in the Smithsonian and one in the Italian Aeronautical Museum near Rome). Superbly detailed diagrams illustrate the inner structures and cockpit details of the C.202. Pages 63-96 are full-page color profiles of the many camouflage schemes and national insignia carried by the C.202. The paint names are in Italian, allowing exact matches from paints lines using those names. For example, Verde Oliva Scuro 2 = Dark Olive Green 2. Being a European publication, technical data is in metric units.
The Macchi C.202 Folgore was a rather easy and successful development of the Macchi C.200 Saetta (Arrow). Basically, license-built or purchased German liquid-cooled, 12-cylinder engines (DB601A) were married to a Saetta fuselage with minor refinements. The Folgore turned out to be more than a match for Allied fighters in 1941 and early 1942, but Mk. V Spitfires and later P40 models achieved parity and operational superiority. Even though more Folgores were built than any other Italian fighter, only 1150 C.202s were built, which was one of the two major drawbacks to the C.202 – insufficient numbers and weak armament (usually only two 12.7mm (50 cal) machine guns). By the time of the armistice in September 1943, other variants of the basic airframe had superceded the C.202 in production, and the remaining C.202s were used for training. This book clearly states the advantages and deficits of the C.202 in a level, non-partisan interpretation.
The Combat History section is chock full of many obscure details, such as who the leading Italian ace in World War Two was, and the eventual fate of the Swiss order for 18 C.202s. Italian war efforts have been difficult to document, but footnotes show that the author dug deep to publish credible information for an oft-forgotten part of aviation history.
In summary, Mr. Skulski has presented a masterpiece for modelers of the C.202. Over 100 documented paint schemes and dozens of close-up photographs from all angles create many opportunities for accurate, detailed and eye-catching models. Knowing where the aircraft were, who flew them, and eve what happened to individual airframes makes models come alive. The authenticity and scope of detail are impressive for such an obscure subject. The information is also applicable in part to other Italian aircraft.
In conclusion, The Orange Series Macchi C.202 Folgore book is very highly recommended – indeed, mandatory – for anyone building the Folgore. All will appreciate the history and beauty of this aircraft and book.

Hyperscale.com  2013-01-28

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman
The Macchi C. 202 was, in my opinion, Italy’s first true “modern fighter” of World War Two. With its aerodynamic design, its modern in-line Daimler-Benz engine (license produced), enclosed cockpit and excellent handling characteristics, it was Italy’s attempt to catch up to the Spitfire and Bf 109.
But, as this book notes right upfront, the Macchi 202’s failure was typical of the Italian aircraft industry at the time. Insufficient in quantity and armament, and lacking spare parts and engines, the Macchi C. 202‘s fate to be inadequate to the task seemed sealed at creation.
This is the second in Mushroom Model Magazine’s Orange series. The Orange series combines the Yellow Series’ focus on aircraft with the Red Series’ focus on history; hence Orange.
The layout of the book is in the typical MMM style. There is a brief introduction and a discussion of the development of the aircraft. What is helpful is that the aircraft’s development is approached based on the production series, rather than the serial number. In the Italian aircraft industry, serial numbers were not necessarily sequential with regard to a given production series.
The book gives a brief account of the combat history of the Macchi C. 202 from its introduction into combat during the Spring and Summer of 1941, through its relegation to second line duties with the Regia Aeronatica (Aeronatica Cobelligerante) in the South and the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblican in the North. This section, as well as the previous one, has a number of well chosen pictures.
What sets this book apart from its competitors is the inclusion of a “walk around” section focusing on two fine preserved examples of the Macchi C. 202, one being at the Museo Storico Dell’ Aeronautica Militare Italiana in Rome, the other being at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum. While preserved and restored aircraft always present the danger of being “Frankenstein creations”, the author does point out that the one in Italy is not quite100% original, and the pedigree of the one at the NASM is not entirely known. But, being made aware of issues is a good starting point for any “walk around.”
The photographs of the preserved aircraft are supplemented by a few illustrations from the original technical manual. One question that is often asked on aircraft discussion boards concerns the nature of the openness of the forward portion of the wheel well, exposing the engine to the elements. On page 68 is a drawing of what appears to be the wheel well inserts that were used to enclose the forward portion of the well. It is a shame that the purpose of these objects could not have been pointed out.
The final section of the book presents colored profiles for 44 different aircraft. But it appears that a possible printing problem reduced the quality of the profiles. While the use of Verde Mimetico 2 and Verde Oliva Scuro are correctly identified, the printing has rendered them, at least in my copy, a most distinct brown color.
Also, while a number of profiles make note of aircraft having typical Macchi or Breda camouflage (the two main producers of the 202), I wish the authors had taken a few words to explain the difference a little more. It was “typical” for Macchi camouflage to have the upper surface colors wrap around the fuselage, while the under surface of the wings and tail planes were in the gray. On Breda built aircraft, the “typical” camouflage meant that the under surface gray extended the length of the fuselage and swept up under the tail planes. Of course there are issues of “smoke rings” and big blotches and little blotches and green or nut-brown base colors. It must be said, however, that this book is not alone in simply saying “Breda style” or “Macchi style”, without further explanation, and the issue of Italian camouflage patterns is beyond the scope of this book.
As long as I’m discussing profiles, I’d like to raise the issue of the accuracy of and basis for a profile. In this day of computer programs that allow one to produce aircraft profiles in infinite detail and variety, we are usually left without any independent means to verify the accuracy of a profile.
Let me take for example the profile of certain Breda produced 202 that became the personal aircraft, “Black 1”, of Haupt. Joosip Helebrant the commander of 2 / JGr Kro (or 2. / Kro JGr 1). One profile of this aircraft is in the Osprey series, “Croatian Aces of World War 2”, the other is in the MMM book under review. There could not be two more different profiles.
As neither book indicates that that there was more than one “Black 1”, I can only presume they are referring to the same aircraft. Also, in neither book is there an actual picture of this aircraft, and I have not been able to locate a picture even with the help of an expert on the Regia Aeronutica / ANR. Finally, in neither book is there a statement to the effect that this is an unverified profile.
In the Osprey book, the aircraft is in a dense mottle of Verde Oliva Scuro over a Nocciola Chiaro. It has full Luftwaffe Markings, with a yellow fuselage band and a yellow under-cowl. It is said to have come from the Luftwaffe, Luftpark Nis.
In the Mushroom book, the aircraft is presented as in a more defined mottle of green over nut brown with full Croatian makings on the wings and fin, without any yellow markings. The aircraft was reported to have come from the Breda factory.
Now it is possible that one is correct, or neither is correct. The Luftwaffe did takeover Italian aircraft and applied full Luftwaffe markings. The Luftwaffe also handed over aircraft to its “allies’. Furthermore, it is known that the Croatian Air Force applied its national markings to foreign aircraft supplied to them, such as the MS. 406 and the Fiat G.50.
Who is one to believe in this situation? Do we believe the authors of the Osprey volume because one is an associate of the Yugoslav Aeronautical Museum, and the other is part of the Yugoslav Historical Research Group attached to the Air Force Museum in Belgrade? On its face they do appear to have better credentials. But any acceptance of one over the other has to be a pure leap of faith on one’s part.
For the modeler, either set of marking would make for an interesting model. But, for the aviation historian, this can be quite frustrating. I would hope that in the future authors do provide us with more information about those attractive drawings.
Conclusion
For those with a casual interest in Italian aircraft, or who want a reference for modeling the Macchi C. 202, this is a fine book and I recommend it to them. For those who are looking for more depth and detail, this volume may fall short of your needs.
One final note; I believe the book contains a bit of unintentional revisionist history. If, as stated on page 25, Mussolini did surrender on 8 September1943, then whom did General Student have rescued from Gran Sasso prison and whom did the partisans string up by his heels? An interesting premise to an alternative history.
Recommended.

Internet Modeler  2013-01-28

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl
The second title in Mushroom's Orange Series, this book continues the 'orange' concept of combining Mushroom's Red Series that cover history and their Yellow Series, which are dedicated aircraft monographs. For such a fascinating aircraft as the C.202, this combination makes this a book well worth having. The book is broken down into logical sections, first dealing with the development, then the operational record. Following this comes the majority of the book, the technical data and detail photos. Finishing up the book is a profile section, showing some of the many color schemes worn by the C.202.
For those who need help deciphering what all the different C.202 Series are, the section on the development of the type will be of immense help. This section, after outlining the initial creation of the type, breaks down the specific Series, from Series I to Series XVI, with scale drawings of many of these, showing the various differences. This will be of great use to the modeler, as not only are the differences outlined, but also included are the serial numbers for each Series. This will make identification from photos very easy.
Speaking of photos, this book has plenty of those. Throughout the development and operational history sections there are many clear photos showing the C.202 at various stages during its lifespan. These flow nicely into the photo detail section, which combines period construction photos with images of museum examples. This book draws upon the two surviving examples, those being a C.202 Serie XI at the Museo Storico Dell' Aeronautica Militare Italiana in Rome and the unknown C.202 (which could be a Serie VI to IX machine) at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC. With these many examples to work from, there is little left unseen in these walkaround photos.
The history section and profile features do an excellent job of detailing the appearance and operations of this type. The C.202 saw extensive service with the Regia Aeronautica in several theaters, including Italy, North Africa, and the Eastern Front. In addition to service in the Italian air force, the book covers operations with other forces, such as the Luftwaffe, as well as captured examples with various Allied forces. The profiles are well done, with 48 side view illustrations and four top view illustrations. Just about every standard camouflage scheme is presented, making this an excellent reference for the modeler.
This second title in Mushroom's Orange Series continues the standard set by their PZL P.23 Karas book. The combination of an aircraft monograph and aircraft history makes for a well-rounded book that will be popular with modelers and historians alike.

Modeling Madness  2013-01-28

by Scott Van Aken
The latest edition from Mushroom Models Publications is on the Macchi C.202 'Folgore'. Considered by many to be one of the more esthetically pleasing aircraft designs of WWII, the 202 appears to be simply a C.200 with an inline engine. In fact, other than the wings, there is little in common between the two aircraft as the inline was narrower and so allowed for a thinner fuselage section.
Designed around the German DB 601 engine that was later produced by Alfa Romeo, the Folgore was a potent aircraft that was able to best the Allied Hurricane and Tomahawk when it met those types in the North African desert. However, the introduction of the later Spitfire and Kittyhawk types put the C.202 at a disadvantage, especially when it came to armament. The Folgore was handicapped through much of its production run with insufficient weapons, comprising of but a pair of machine guns. This was insufficient to bring down the Allies bombers that were met later in the war and required expenditure of almost all available bullets to knock down an Allied fighter. The type was later improved with the use of DB.605 engines and the inclusion of cannon wing armament to become the C.205 'Veltro'.
This book follows in the now-standard format of a history of the type followed by a detailed inspection of aircraft now held in museums. In this case, there is a C.202 in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC and one in the Italian Air Museum in Rome. Both these airframes were extensively photographed for this book. This large section is also interspersed with drawings from the technical manuals of the C.202. Finishing up this excellent reference are page after page of profiles and three views, the sort of thing that modelers love.
Overall, another outstanding book from our friends at Mushroom Models and one that I can recommend without reservation.

Cybermodeler Online  2013-01-28

By Ray Mehlberger
This latest book from MMP (Mushroom Model Publications) covers the technical and operational history of the Macchi C.202 Folgore (Lightning), one of the best Italian fighters of WWII. Lacking modern aero-engines of sufficient power, Italian aircraft designers turned to imported German engines, especially the DB601, and the combination of agile Italian airframe and powerful and robust German engine was a winner in the Castoldi-designed C.202.
Manufactured in quantity from 1941, the Folgore first saw action over Malta in September of that year. From then on the type served on all fronts, even in Russia, and proved a match for all but the best Allied fighters. Sadly for the Italians, they could never build enough aircraft, largely due to shortages of engines (even – especially – when license production of the DB601’s began), and the Folgore was only lightly armed by comparison to the aircraft it opposed with light machine-guns.
The book is in MMP’s usual 6 ½” x 9 ½” soft-cover format.
This new book has full technical details of the design and its development, with 5 1/72 scale line drawings (one of which is a 6 view) and color photos (mostly walk-around type) of two aircraft that are today in museums. One is in the Aircraft Museum in Rome and the other in the U.S. National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. I counted 33 photos of the one in Washington and 41 of the one in Rome. There is also one war-time color photo and 34 black and white war-time ones. Twelve line drawings appear to have come out of a actual tech manual on the Folgore. There are 3 black and white photos of the cockpit interior and one of the pilot’s seat. Finally, there are 44 color profiles at the end of the book. These cover paint schemes for Italy both in it’s Axis markings and some in co-belligerent marks (fighting for the Allies). A few are shown in German markings and captured British marks. 4 of these color paintings are shown as 3-views.
The Italians really had some intricate camouflage patterns on their planes. These usually appeared as wavy edged spots of one color over a base color. Hard to do, at times with an airbrush…but spectacular if a modeler can pull it off. The Folgore is one of my favorite WWII aircraft. One of the first 1/72 nd scale models I ever built was a Folgore.
This new book will highly appeal to modelers, aircraft enthusiasts, and students of WWII. Essential reading for all lovers of beautiful aircraft. This aircraft is just so SLEEK looking. The price of this series of aircraft books has slightly risen with this new book, but well worth it.

ModelingMadness.com  2013-01-28

Scott Van Aken

After reading their more recent book on the MC.200, I was really looking forward to this one from the growing Mushroom Models Publications library. There is something about the Folgore that just says fast. It is without a doubt, one of the finest looking aircraft of WWII and fortunately for us, it was photographed quite a bit.

A development of the Macchi C.200, it had a slimmer fuselage to take advantage of the DB.601 engine. Like the Saeta, it was under-armed with just a pair of 12.5mm guns in the nose. Attempts at adding additional guns in the wings, even the smaller 7.7mm versions, added too much weight and degraded performance to a level where those planes built with the wing guns often had them removed in service.

This need for additional performance to carry more weapons led to what many consider to be the best Italian fighter of the war, the C.205 Veltro. But this is not about that later version, but about the Folgore.

First seeing combat in 1941 in the skies over Malta and North Africa, the Folgore easily outclassed the fighters it met; the Hurricane and the Tomahawk. It was not until the British started fielding Kittyhawks and Spitfires that the Folgore had less of an easy time of things. Yet it continued to be built right up until the Armistice in September 1943 and those on assembly lines were completed by the Fascists in the north of Italy. Even those left in the south were soon formed into a unit that fought on the side of the Allies. Those in German hands were frequently used as fighter trainers.

As with all books in this series, in addition to a strong history section, there are sections that show the inside story of the aircraft. Thankfully, there are two fully restored airframes; one in the US at the Smithsonian and the other in Italy at the Italian AF museum. There is also a third in Italy, but that one is not used as reference in this book. Having those extant airframes means a raft of well taken color images of various parts of the aircraft. Not only that, but there are a copious number of images and illustrations taken from surviving technical manuals so you definitely get a good look at this one.

One major bonus to this book is a lot of period color images. Apparently the Italians took advantage of the then-new color film and we are able to see these planes as they really were. In addition to all the technical information, you will find the usual bevy of color profiles, appropriately sprinkled through the book in the appropriate areas. A full series of plans in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale round out another superb package. I should also point out that each of the different production series is covered in the history section and information provided on the differences between them.

Like other MMP books, this one is all any modeler or aircraft enthusiast needs on the type. Another outstanding edition and one I give my highest recommendation.

This is the 14th book (No. 8114)in MMP's Orange Series. Unlike all other books in the Orange series hitherto, this book is European A4 size (8-1/4" x 11-3/4"). Previous books were the smaller B5 size. It is a square bound card cover with 104 pages and an unbound insert. There is much color throughout the book. I have mixed feelings about the larger size. It is certainly more appropriate for aircraft monographs such as these; on the other hand I can't shelve it with the other Orange series books.

The book is essentially a reprint of the earlier Orange series book (No. 8102) of the same title. The text is identical. There is an introduction, a development history, a look at surviving examples, a service history that includes not only Italian service but service with other air arms, a one page technical description, and a 40 page section of color photos of the aircraft details supported by technical manual drawings.

Differences from the previous edition include more color photographs, especially from the service years, the addition of 1/48th scale drawings, and some additional color profiles. The color profiles are reproduced at a larger size than previously. Interestingly, the smaller, 1/72nd scale drawings are on the unbound insert. If buying secondhand make sure the insert is included if this is important to you.
Although this cannot be considered the definitive C.202 book by any stretch it offers good value for the money and can be highly recommended for those not having the previous edition. If you do have the previous edition, you'll have to decide whether the larger size and/or the additional material make it worth your while.